Apparatus for sacro-lumbar back support, reduction of load on vertebrae discs and stimulation of circulation and muscles through axial tensioning exercises

ABSTRACT

The invention is directed to the combination of orthopedic back support and physical exercise devices that provide comfort, support and stabilization of the spinal system. More particularly, it contributes to means for developing the musculature of the lower back, spinal cord and upper body by application of axial tensioning to unload compressive forces on the spine, thus allowing improved circulation to the discs and stimulation of the muscles. As a preventive exercise it helps avoid back problems, but when pain occurs, the invention helps relieve pain, improve comfort and provides rehabilitation of the back to a healthier state under self administration.

This Non-provisional patent application claims priority to my earlier filed provisional patent No. 61/709,285 dated Oct. 3, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention is directed to the combination of orthopedic back support and physical exercise devices that provide comfort, support and stabilization of the spinal system. More particularly, it contributes to means for developing the musculature of the lower hack, spinal cord and upper body by application of axial tensioning to unload compressive forces on the spine, thus allowing improved circulation to the discs and stimulation of the muscles. As a preventive exercise it helps avoid back problems, but when pain occurs, the invention helps relieve pain, improve comfort and provides rehabilitation of the back to a healthier state under self administration.

Health statistics reveal that lower back pain is a very common and costly occurrence associated with a traumatic event, chronic occurrence, congenital or normal ageing process. Statistics reveal that there is an 80 percent probability that a person will have back problems during one's lifetime. In addition, back treatment is a $50 billion industry with a probable growth of 30 percent over the next twenty years. Despite the pervasiveness of the problem, at this time, a satisfactory solution is problematic due to the difficulty of analysis and uncertainty of results from various approaches for treatment. These treatments comprise home remedies, over-the-counter and prescription pain management, exercises, or stabilization of the lower hack through the use of an orthotic back brace, or specialized orthotics, apparatus, or work methods to alter the way one works, walks, sits, or exercises in pursuit of pain relief and rehabilitation of the back. Surgical options are invasive and are reserved for the worst back injuries with results often far less than expectations.

2. Description of Related Art

Most devices in the field for lower back support rely on a circumferential belt used to contain a reservoir of body mass to constrain the movement of the spine. Such approaches have minimal effect in reducing the forces and compressive stresses on the discs between the vertebrae

Prior art reflects various approaches for back support devises that consist principally of belt strapping systems that support pads, splines and methods of applying pressure to lumbar sections of the spinal musculature. In addition, they provide various means of girth adjustment, belt connections, or special functions. None reflect a trapeze approach for transferring forces to the pelvic musculature.

Partial relief can be obtained by an inversion table, but warnings for such treatment provide notice of the possibility of strokes.

More extensive relief can be obtained by professional traction tables, however, these subject the patient to compression of the lungs.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,551,085 to Leighton (“Leighton”), and U.S. Pat. No. 7,364,558 B@ to Weaver, II et. al. “Weaver” reflect that improvements are still needed that balance both the support provided by the back brace with the comfort of wearing the brace. Neither provides the reduction of forces and stresses on the vertebra cells and cartilage nor the rehabilitative effect of physical exercise by axial tensioning of the spinal column.

Leighton discloses a lower back support with an elastic belt with lumbar pads pressured again the back when the overlapping pressure strap is tightened around the waist.

Weaver discloses a similar approach to improve a firmer support with improved comfort.

U. S. Design Pat. No. 435611 to Hines reveals adaptation of a belt strap for use in aerobic exercises.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,533,961 to Iwata features adaptation of vertical support bones for firmer support and stability.

DJO Global supplies Chattanooga traction tables that provide decompression of the back under professional treatment by separating tables that hold a patient in place by strapping belts.

An advertisement in Skymall magazine features a floor bench which by use of underarm supports and a lever that slides a tubular extension that hold the feet stretches the back. Similar models are produced by Stamina Products.

The above references reflect the wide range of approaches that seek to provide relief of pain, comfort, stability and exercise for the back. None of these combine features that are integral in the current invention.

Most importantly, these noted inventions provide no personal,

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention reasonably achieves the claims of the above related art with improvements that achieve the distinct advantage of axial tensioning treatment and exercises for rehabilitating the vertebrae and musculature of the spinal system and upper body.

The invention provides multi-purpose effects and is defined by four principal levels of embodiment; 1 . . . Basic, 2 . . . Standard, 3 . . . Premium and 4 . . . Custom. Alternatives to parts of these principal embodiments provide a broader range of treatments and exercises.

Principal Embodiments . . . Basic:

The Basic embodiment incorporates a non-elastic belt placed around the waist with the top just above the point of the iliac crest as it passes around the hip, due to the conical shape of the hip, it slopes downward to a Velcro fastener—the right end segment of ties and the left end segment of loops—which are sewn to the belt at a slight angle so the fastener is horizontal when approximately centered in the front below the navel.

Attached to the belt on each side of the wearer, a trapeze assembly is centered on the iliac crest in such position that a vertical force can be applied downward on the trapeze bar until the belt prevents further displacement.

The trapeze assembly consists of a header support, “gusset,” that is fastened to the belt, support ropes, “web straps,” attached to the header, and the trapeze bar, “handle,” connected at each end to the ropes.

In the Basic embodiment, the web straps, in this case serving as the gusset, are sewn to the belt and extended downward to be terminated by a loop in the strap to support the handle. The handle is reduced in diameter near each end to accept the web straps and hold them in place. Height adjustment of the handles is accomplished by adding adjustment loops to the web straps.

Principal Embodiments . . . Standard

The Standard embodiment incorporates the addition of a wider inner elastic, belt connected in the middle of the back of the basic belt which remains as the outer belt. The inner belt is connected in front by an upgrade of the basic Velcro connection consisting of a right front end segment of loops and a left front end segment of ties.

The inner belt is wider to provide more comfort and stability and alternatively may include compressible pads with a fabric cover sewn to the interior side of the inner belt.

In the Standard embodiment, the basic belt, now the outer belt, is modified to better distribute the forces from the trapeze assembly to vertical resultant forces at the iliac crest. The existing belt portion is lowered to the top of the iliac crest so an additional top belt segment can be formed at each side around the conical surface above the iliac crest at the waist. This top belt would have a greater slope toward the front and back since there is a lower angle of conical slope. This top belt segment reduces the waist dimension and better distributes the path of forces from the trapeze assembly downward through the belt to the vertical resultant forces in the hips and legs.

The end sections of the top belt and basic existing belt are jointed at the front in the Velcro connection and at the back by a gusset. The Velcro portions are shaped like the palm of a hand to provide better connections at various slopes of the end segments of the belt.

The embodiment of the Standard Belt also includes improvements in the trapeze assembly to provide improved vertical adjustment of the handle height.

Trapeze Embodiment A—Belt . . .

A strap keeper loop hangs from a gusset attached to the outer belt. A belt lead with punched holes which will engage the belt, buckle hangs from the strap keeper loop. The belt buckle strap threads through the buckle loop and is sewn together and likewise the other end wraps around the handle and is sewn together.

Trapeze Embodiment B—Conway . . .

A strap keeper loop is attached to the belt by a tab gusset and another strap keeper loop is attached by looping the strap around the handle and sewing the loose end to the strap. A Conway buckle is used for adjustment of a third strap which contains spaced holes in it and passes up through the buckle, around the top strap keeper loop, back thru the buckle, around the bottom strap keeper loop, and back up through the buckle. With spaced holes the strap can be adjusted to various lengths to adjust the height of the handles.

Trapeze Embodiment C—Snap Latch and Slide . . .

A strap keeper loop is attached to the belt by a tab gusset and another strap keeper loop is attached by looping the strap around the handle and sewing the loose end to the strap. A male portion of a snap latch is attached to a top strap that is supported by the top strap keeper loop. The female portion is attached to a strap with an adjustable slide keeper which in turn is attached to the strap keeper loop attached to the handle thus providing vertical adjustment.

Principal Embodiments of Premier and Custom Designs . . .

Custom designs are included and defined in the “Detailed Description of the Product.”

Principal Embodiment . . . Premier

. . . vertical adjustment coupling . . . back support splines . . . plastic formed gussets . . . lumbar supports . . . gel comfort pads

Principal Embodiment . . . Custom

. . . overhead pull down hangar . . . adjustable height hangar support . . . special fastening devices . . . adjustable girth devices . . . adjustable horizontal web hangar supports

This invention simply provides an inner elastic belt with liner for comfortable adjustment of the apparatus around the waist of the wearer, an outer non-elastic belt that provides a peripheral band supported by the iliac crest from which handle assemblies at each side provide for axial tensioning of the spine by extension of force through the arms to the handle, thus elongating and tensioning the spine. The effect of axial tensioning is to unload the compressive forces on the spine and relieve pain, stimulate and increase the flow of blood to the spinal discs which are under reduced pressure, and invigorate the muscular development of the spinal muscles due to the effect of repeated exercises.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. Isometric. View of the Basic Belt

FIG. 2. Isometric View of the Top Belt Option—Standard Belt

FIG. 3. Isometric View of Bottom Belt Option—Premium Belt

FIG. 4. Isometric View of Elastic Inner Liner Belt Option—All Belts

FIG. 5. Plan view—Inside of Basic Belt.

FIG. 6. Plan view—Inside of Top Belt Option—Standard Belt

FIG. 7. Plan view—Inside of Bottom Belt Option—Premium Belt.

FIG. 8. Plan view—Inside of Elastic Inner Liner Belt Option—All Belts

FIG. 9. Option Web Strap with Multiple Loops.

FIG. 10. Option Web Strap with Slide Fastener

FIG. 11. Option Web Strap with Conway Buckle

FIG. 12. Option Web Strap with Quick Release Fastener

FIG. 13. Option Web Strap with Punched Holes and Buckle

FIG. 14. Opposite Threaded Coupler with Ring Connectors

REFERENCE NUMERALS

Basic

-   -   1-19 Not Used     -   20. Basic Belt     -   21. Non-Elastic. Belt Webbing     -   22. Velcro Connection Belt Loop End     -   23. Velcro Connection Belt Tie End     -   24. Trapeze Hangar Web Strap Gusset     -   25. Trapeze Hangar Web Strap with Loop     -   26. Trapeze Bar Handle     -   27. Reference to Trapeze Details—Basic     -   28. Optional Velcro Back Tie Connection     -   29. Not Used

Standard

-   -   30. Standard Belt     -   31. Top Belt Addition     -   34. Velcro Palm Connection Loop End     -   35. Velcro Palm Connection Tie End     -   36. Reference to Trapeze—Standard     -   37-39 NotUsed

Premium

-   -   40. Premium Belt     -   41. Lower Belt Addition     -   42. Back Gusset Addition     -   43. Side Gusset Additions     -   44. Front Gusset Additions     -   45. Back Velcro Tie Connection     -   46. Reference to Trapeze Details     -   47. Front Velcro Loop Connection     -   48. Front Velcro Tie Connection     -   49. Not Used

Inner Belt

-   -   50. Inner Belt     -   51. Elastic Belt Webbing,     -   52. Gusset for Right End     -   53. Gusset for Left End     -   54. Velcro Connection Right Loop End     -   55. Velcro Connection Left Loop End     -   56. Velcro Connection Back Loop to Outer Belt     -   57-59 Not Used

Inner Belt Padding

-   -   60. Inner Belt Padding     -   61. Lumbar Padded Section     -   62. Lumbar Padded Section Cover Sheet     -   63. Vertical Stability Battens     -   64. Batten Sheet Pocket     -   65. Hip Padded Section     -   66. Hip Padded Section Cover Sheet     -   67-69 Not Used

Trapeze Header Options

-   -   70 Trapeze Header Options     -   71. Basic Belt Sewn Strap or Tab Gusset     -   72. Standard Belt Horizontal Loop Option     -   73. Premium Belt Metal Hangar Option     -   74-79 Not Used

Trapeze Hangar Options

-   -   80. Trapeze Hangar Options     -   81. Basic Web Strap With Loop     -   82. Option Web Strap with Multiple Loops     -   83. Standard Web Strap with Slide Fastener     -   84. Option Web Strap with Conway Buckle     -   85. Option Web Strap with Quick Release Latch     -   86. Option Web Belt with Punched Holes and Buckle     -   87. Option Wire Rope with Adjustable Coupler and Ring Connector     -   88. Option Sewn Strap with Loop for Handle.     -   890 Option Rectangular Keeper Loop

Trapeze Bar Options

-   -   90 Trapeze Bar Options     -   91. Wood Bar with Notched Strap Locators     -   92. Custom Handle Grip Wood Bar with Bolt-Ring Connector     -   93. Custom Molded Handle with Connector     -   94. Gymnastic type Ring Handles     -   95-99 Not Used

Device Options

-   -   100. Device Options     -   100. Lumbar Supports     -   101. Batten Stabilizers.     -   102. Gel Comfort Pads.     -   103. Plastic Support Molds     -   104. Overhead Arm Tension Pull Down     -   105. Inner Belt Abdomen Pad

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention now will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings in which the most likely embodiments will be illustrated. The invention can be embodied in many different forms; the invention should not be limited in the embodiments set forth herein.

The primary embodiment of the invention can best be understood by the interaction of forces applied to the basic belt device and the resultant reaction of the body.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The [FIG. 1, 20; FIG. 5, 20] Basic device consists of four sections as shown: 1 . . . a [21] belt section around the back and sides of the girth of the waist slightly above the point, of the iliac crest; 2 . . . a [22,23] connection section in the front provided by fastening attachments to each end of the belt section; and 3 . . . a [24,25,26] left trapeze section and 4 . . . a [24,25,26] right trapeze section centered on the left hip iliac crest and right hip iliac crest at each side of the wearer.

Downward forces by the arms pushing down against the [26] handle of the trapeze bar are transferred by [24,25] gussets, loops and straps to the [21] basic belt. These downward compressive forces are then transferred by circumferential tension and bearing and compression forces to the body's pelvic musculature-skeletal system thus forming a foundation for resisting resultant forces. The upper body musculature-skeletal system of the shoulders is raised by the compressive forces of the arms and combined with the anchoring of the pelvic system results in the elongation of the spine film axial tensioning.

The [FIG. 5, 21] belt section consists of a wide non elastic web strap [a heavyweight polypropylene webbing] that fits across the hack and around the conical shape of the hips with the top of the belt slightly above the iliac crest, thereby inducing a downward slope toward the front connection.

The connection section consists of a Velcro fastener, the [22] loop section attached to the right end of the belt section and the [23] tie section attached to the left end of the belt section. The loop and tie parts are sewn to the belt sections with a slightly upward slope so the resulting Velcro connection will be horizontal across the front of the wearer.

The trapeze section consists of a [24] top gusset, [25] vertical supports and a [26] handle. Two [25] web straps hang from the [21] belt section and contain loops at the lower end to support the [26] trapeze bar handle, where the hand grips the device. The [25] web straps are centered at the side on the iliac crest and attached to the right front and right flank of the belt and sewn at such an angle so the straps are parallel to each other when in position on the wearer.

The [26] trapeze bar handle is a cylindrical shaped part of such length to provide a comfortable grip for the hand plus attachment of the hanger straps. A section on each side of the hand grip space is reduced in diameter to form a notch for securely holding the hang strap loops as they are slid over the end of the handle to position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE STANDARD EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

The [FIG. 2, 30; FIG. 6, 30] belt section of the standard embodiment of the invention is improved by the addition of an [31] overlapping belt segment placed slightly above the top of the basic belt centered on the sides at the point of the iliac crest. The path of the “top belt” segment traverses the surface of a conical shape with a greater slope than the basic belt, thus diverting forces to be supported by the iliac and the pelvic musculature-skeletal foundation system as vertical forces. The two conical belt sections are sewn along the trace line of the intersection of the greater slope of the basic belt section and the lower slope of the top belt section.

The [FIG. 2, 34, 35; FIG. 6, 34,35] connection section of the standard embodiment of the invention is improved by increasing the size and shape of both the loop and tie parts of the Velcro connection to provide both horizontal and vertical adjustment for the variance of waist size and variance in the conical slope of the wearer's body shape. The resultant design is a [34] loop part in the shape of a palm that is smaller than a similar but larger [35] tie part to provide proper fit for horizontal and vertical variances.

The [FIG. 2, 36; FIG. 6, 36) trapeze section of the standard embodiment of the invention is improved by an alternate changing the single strap with end loop to provide vertical adjustment with a [FIG. 10] hanger strap support consisting of a [71] top gusset with tab loop holding a [89] rectangular loop ring and a [83] standard web strap with slide fastener connecting to [88] bottom sewn strap with loop for handle. The [83] standard web strap with slide fastener threads thru the [89] top and bottom rectangular loop rings to adjust the height of the trapeze.

An added improvement for the standard embodiment of the invention is an [FIG. 4, 50; FIG. 8, 50] inner belt, which provides more comfort, support and stability for the back. This Inner Belt consists of 1 . . . an [51] elastic belt section which is wider than the basic belt and fits across the back and around the hips of the wearer, 2 . . . a [54,55] connection section at the front that consists of a Velcro fastener with the [54] loop part attached to the right end of the belt section and the [55] tie part attached to the left end of the belt section, and 3 . . . [61,65] padded sections for comfort, and fit consisting of padding contained by a [62,66] cover fabric sewn to the inside surface of the inner belt.

The [51] elastic belt section consists of a woven elastic fabric with characteristics for elongation, breathability, workability and comfort. The elastic belt section is attached to the base belt by sewing a [56] gusset section to the elastic back section and then fastening the gusset to the basic belt by sewing or by Velco fasteners.

The padded and pocketed sections [61,63,65] consist of various compressible or stiffening materials to improve comfort and stability.

The padded and pocketed cover fabric sections [62,64,66] consist of washable woven elastic fabric, and non-elastic materials appropriate for containing the inserted pads.

The [56] connection section to the outer belt consists of a Velcro Loop part on the inner belt which fastens to a [28] Velcro Tie part on the outer belt

Other Embodiments and Options Belt Section Premium Option Lower Belt

The distribution of forces to the pelvic musculature-skeletal system which provides the foundation for resultant forces in use of the device is improved by the addition of a [FIG. 3, 41; FIG. 7, 41] lower overlapping belt. This “lower belt” consists of a [42] gusset in the center of the back where it overlaps the lower portion of the [21] basic belt and then slopes downward to a [43] gusset on each side centered on the iliac crest. From the side gusset a [21] belt section proceeds to slope upward to a [44] gusset at the front. The four gussets are sewn to the [21] basic belt and the [44] front gussets are sewn to the [47] loop and [48] tie ends of the Velcro connection.

The [41] lower belt material and [42, 43, 44] gusset materials consist of non-elastic woven polyethylene or other appropriate material.

Connector Section—Adjustable Connection Options

The front connector section of the device has several options for making secure connections for the left end of the belt to the right end; 1 . . . The Belt and Buckle Option consists of the leader end with punched holes being attached to the right end of the back section and the buckle end being attached to the left end of the back section, 2 . . . The Eyelet and Cord Option consists of eyelets being attached to gussets sewn to both ends of the back section with a cord to be threaded thru and looped around the eyelets and tied to secure the connection, 3 . . . The Quick Release Cam Device consists of the male end being attached to the right end of the belt section and the female end attached to the left end to secure engagement of the two parts, and 4 . . . The Blevins Buckle connection consists of a leading edge of a belt attached to the right end of the belt and perforated with spaced holes that slide over the studs of the male section of the device and then inserted in the female section which is attached to the left end of the belt.

Trapeze Section—Options

Options for the [FIG. 9, 70] header portion for trapeze support consist of 1 . . . Addition of a [FIG. 10, 71] gusset with bottom loop for connection of a spring swivel trigger snap. 2 . . . Alliteratively, a [FIG. 10, 89]rectangular loop or D ring is used for other clip, latch or swivel connections. 3 . . . a metal clip hangar with cutouts that function as a rectangular loop or a ring connection.

Options for the hanger portion for the trapeze support consist of 1 . . . a [FIG. 11, 84] Conway Buckle with belt strap and spaced punched holes that threads through rectangular loop rings supported by the gusset at the top and bottom. 2 . . . a [FIG. 11, 84] alternative of using a [86] standard belt with buckle that makes the same loop connections, 3 . . . an [FIG. 14, 87] adjustable threaded coupler with rotator and opposite threaded bolts that screw into coupling nuts that are attached by rings to the top gusset ring and handle ring.

Options for the [90] trapeze bar portion of the trapeze assembly consists of 1 . . . [92] shaped handles turned by lathe for more comfortable fit of the hands, 2 . . . . . [93] molded handles with rectangular loop ends or inserted coupling nuts, and 3 . . . Gymnastic type ring handles. Additional adjustments are provided by various hangar options.

Inner Belt—Options

Options for the inner belt include 1 . . . [100] special lumbar support devices which are shaped to meet methods of applying pressure around the lumbar area, 2 . . . [102] formed plastic devices for improved it around the hips and improved transfer of pressure and stresses, 3 . . . [103] special plastic pads capable of being filled to various pressures and attached to the inner belt by Velcro fasteners

Further Options

An alternate embodiment of the trapeze section provides for axial tensioning of the spine to occur by grasping an overhead frame on each side and by tensioning the arms by pulling down transfers the forces downward to the trapeze bar web straps as in the basic embodiment. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Use of the Invention . . .

Use of the invention requires proper sizing, fit and fastening for the back support to attain expected performance. Three measurements are taken to determine sizing: (a) the girth of the waist from a location slightly above the iliac crest, (b) the girth of the pelvis taken on a slope from a point at the center of the back above the iliac crest and sloping downward in both directions around the hip to a point slightly below the navel, (c) a girth of the hips taken approximately three inches below the iliac crest. The invention is sized based on waist measurements in increments for girths from small to extra-extra large.

To wear the back support with proper fit, the wearer places the back support around the body, as in putting on a belt, with the two free ends in front. The elastic inner belt should be stretched so the handles are centered on the each side of the body and then after inhaling snugly fasten the inner elastic, belt with the tie and loop fasteners. At this stage, the inner belt can be slightly shifted for more comfort by tugging on the belt in the desired direction. The free ends of the non elastic outer belt, should be hanging freely from the frontal ties to the inner belt and the ends should be grasped and tugged forcefully to extend the left end and place it firmly against the inner belt while fastening the the loops of the right end of the outer belt by overlaying the fastening ties already in place. On some embodiments of the invention the back portion of the outer belt is secured to the side gussets and the back portion can be adjusted for the handles to remain at the sides. Other embodiments of the invention allow for adjusting the hanger length for the handles to better accommodate the arm length of the wearer.

With the back support in place as described above, the support acts as a harness around the pelvic area allowing the upper muscular skeletal framework of the shoulders to elongate and axially tension the spine when force is applied by the arms to the trapeze bar. Exercises as prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist should be followed precisely to relieve pain, stimulate blood circulation, and strengthen muscles in a progressive approach to rehabilitation of your back. 

Having thus described the invention, and claiming priority to my earlier filed provisional patent, what is new and desired to be secured by patent is as follows:
 1. The invention provides a portable, wearable, self administered device for relief, comfort, stability, stimulation, and rehabilitation of the back by axial tensioning of the spinal system comprising the following: a. a means of transferring downward arm forces through the belting and trapeze device to be supported by the pelvic musculature-skeletal system and lower body. b. a means of adjustment of a trapeze system to accommodate the variation of arms lengths for a different sized users. c. a means of belting system that improves the equilibrium and stability of the device while transferring forces from the pelvic, musculature to the lower body. d. The invention provides for application of forces to the trapeze section by both a downward pushing compression of the arms as well as a downward pulling tensioning of the arms by use of the overhead option. e. A means of providing exercise and back support with more availability at a much lower price.
 2. The invention by its combination of the outer belt, for axial tensioning and the inner belt for comfort and stability provides the synergetic effect of both systems working together. a. The invention by its design to be separated and function independently provides the multi-options of exercising independently, seeking back and lumbar support, or a combination of both functions.
 3. The invention provides improved safety in axial tensioning by the user's self administered incremental adjustment of forces based on personal assessment of one's level of pain. a. The invention provides application of axial tensioning forces without a harness compressing the chest cavity and lungs or a rigid support under the arms that subjects the user to an increased level of blood clots. 